IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BIBLE LESSON March 2, 2009 Issue

GOD'S PEOPLE

MICHAEL HAMILTON

To read this column online, go to the spirituality.com homepage.

THIS BIBLE LESSON titled "Man" will possibly encourage you to think more carefully about what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neigher bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28); or, as another version puts it, "Ye all are one man in Christ Jesus" (Golden Text, American Standard Version). This translation certainly brings out the broad meaning of man as a generic noun, meaning both men and women. It also points to the relationship of all men "in Christ Jesus."

What then is the nature of this relationship? The answer lies at the heart of the New Testament, which draws deeply from the wisdom and prophetic traditions of the Hebrew Scriptures, or Old Testament. For example, Isaiah claims that even "the son of the stranger" and "the eunuch" who keep the commandments are part of God's people. Their obedience to divine law nets them "a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters" (Section I, citation 2). And in the New Testament we read that the unity of humanity is rooted in the worship of the living God (see Rom. 9:25, 26, Sect. II, cit. 10).

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
HEAD IN THE SAND?
March 2, 2009
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit